Delta Dental of Arkansas Blog

Brush Your Bambinos Biters

Parents, I know you know that warm feeling you get when you see
that gap-toothed grin on your little bambino. But I’m sure you also know the other not-so-warm feeling you get when it’s time for their nightly brushing.
Smiles turn to frowns and laughter turns to crying in the blink of an eye. Many parents make the decision not to fight this nightly battle, thinking baby
teeth don’t last anyway. Just wait a couple years and they'll be gone, right? Wrong! Amazingly, the state of your little one's baby teeth really does matter.
Cavities are caused by bacteria. Those bacteria set up shop in your baby's mouth if you don't regularly brush their teeth and keep them away from sugary
foods and drinks. Once those bacteria have colonized, it's really hard to make them go away. The bacteria remain, even though the baby's teeth fall out.
This means when those beautiful new permanent teeth start popping through, the bacteria are there to attack the enamel and cause cavities. So, take care
of that precious little grin even though those baby teeth aren't there to stay. Brush them morning and night with a smear of children’s toothpaste. And
even before they have teeth, rub their gums with a wash cloth. Don't put sweet drinks in the bottle or sippy cup. Make sure the only thing that goes in
the bottle after brushing at night is water. Baby teeth do matter. How well you take care of them can make a difference for the rest of your child's life.
Discover the small changes in dental habits that can have big effects on a child's oral health. For more information, click here.